Aluminum House Siding Upkeep
Aluminum siding is tough, long lasting, and requires almost no maintenance. In fact, one of the primary attractions of aluminum is that it is simple to maintain and requires very little attention. Nonetheless, if you want your siding to last longer and maintain its good looks, you do need to occasionally devote some attention to preserving it. Here are a few simple tips that will keep your aluminum siding in tip top, spic and span shape for years to come.
Inspecting Your Aluminum Siding
At least once a year, give your house the once over and inspect it closely for scratches and dents. Although, aluminum is highly resistant to rust, scratches are its Achilles heel, exposing its vulnerable underbelly to corrosive moisture. To maintain the protective shield, you need to paint over scratches as soon as you spot them. Rust will attack without delay and once it has begun, it will be harder to stop.
Chalking Aluminum Siding
During your yearly examination, look for chalking. Chalking, or oxidation, is an effect of weathering. Chalk occurs on aluminum siding due to aging and weather effects. While aluminum siding is rigid and holds up well to the environment, chalk will show up eventually.
First, hose off the siding with cold water to remove all the chalk that is loose. Next, check for additional chalk by rubbing your hand over the aluminum siding. If your hand has white powder on it, there's still chalk on the aluminum siding.
Hand scrubbing is very efficient for removing chalk. Carefully scrub the surface of the siding with a sponge or scrub brush. Two washes may be necessary to remove the chalk.
Power washing blasts off chalk that hand scrubbing can miss. Most hardware stores and gardening departments of retail stores sell or rent power washers. Since the pressure of the water can be dangerous and cause injury, be sure to follow all safety instructions.
Before painting, use a good primer because it is often difficult to completely remove all the chalk. If there is still chalk on the surface, primer will cover up the chalk and allow the new paint to bond with the aluminum siding. The primer should be 100 percent acrylic and specifically designed for outdoor painting. Without the primer, the paint will not bond, causing it to look blotchy and uneven.
Repainting Aluminum Siding
Whether to cover up scratches or repair chalking, repainting your aluminum siding needn’t be a major production. For the best results, sand the siding first with a relatively fine sand paper, something in the range of 150 to 240. Then apply the primer, and spray paint.
Of course, you should check for dents first. Although aluminum is hardier than vinyl siding, it's not completely resistant to dents. If at all possible, push the dent out or patch it with filler intended for metal. However, if the damage is extensive, you may need to replace the panel. In fact, many times the panel above and below the damaged one may also need to be replaced.
Routine Cleaning of Your Aluminum siding
Minimally, you should clean your siding annually to rinse off all the accumulated dust, pollen, and other wind borne debris. You might also consider rinsing your siding twice a year or as needed in the future as a precautionary measure. Usually, with just a quick rinse, your siding will look brand new! Cleaning aluminum siding is normally very easy and doesn't require much in the way of equipment. A garden hose and a soft-bristled brush or chamois are about all you need. If there is a little build-up that the hose doesn’t easily remove, then you will have to use some solvent and a little elbow grease. To help make the job go more quickly, you could rent a pressure washer.
There’s no need to spend a lot of money on elaborate store-bought cleaners. You can whip a batch of your own cleanser by just mixing one teaspoon of baking soda and two tablespoons of mild liquid soap or detergent in one gallon of hot water. Be sure to add the soap last to reduce foaming and don't scrub hard to avoid scratching your siding. If your siding is particularly greasy, for some reason, add one tablespoon of washing soda. If there are signs of mildew, try adding one tablespoon of borax.
Another approach is to just use a vinegar and water mixture in a thirty to seventy ratio. This solution will clean, disinfect, remove mildew and eliminate any water spots you might have from precipitation or sprinklers. Whatever you use, try to avoid anything with bleach, ammonia, alcohol, or other damaging substances.
Simple Checklist of Precautions For Cleaning Your Aluminum Siding
• Make sure your windows are closed! You don't want to spray water into your living room and angle the spray away from shut doors and windows.
• If you have shrubbery or flowers below, protect them from damage by the chemicals in your cleansers by covering them with plastic.
• Be safe. Remove any potential obstacles that might get under foot and trip you while you’re focused on cleaning or rinsing.
• Shut off the power to any outside lights or outlets that might come within the line of fire.
• Work from the bottom up when washing to maximize the impact of your cleaning solvent, and the top down when rinsing to avoid accumulated residue.
• As soon as you’ve finished, douse your house with a hose. As tempting as it is to take a quick break between cleaning and rinsing, don't risk having your cleaning solution dry while on the siding, negating all your hard work.
While aluminum siding is very low maintenance, to ensure it lasting good looks and durability, you should take some simple steps to keep your siding clean and in good repair. The rule of thumb is, if you want your siding to last longer and retain its attractive appearance, you do need to occasionally devote some effort to caring for it. If you establish and adhere to a schedule of routine preventive maintenance, the investment you’ve made in aluminum siding will continue to yield dividends year after year.